Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata

Dominican Republic

Ride the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres for breathtaking panoramic views and a towering Christ statue overlooking the Caribbean coastline.

Currency Dominican Peso (DOP)
Language Spanish
Time Zone AST (UTC-4)
Best Time to Visit Nov–Apr
Typical Duration 7-9 nights
Price Range $309.50-$9,595 per person
Port Type Port of Call
Tender Port Yes

Puerto Plata is a charming Caribbean gateway known for its Victorian architecture, beautiful beaches, and adventure activities like zip-lining and water sports that attract cruise passengers seeking authentic Dominican culture.

Cruises that visit Puerto Plata

Build Your Day in Puerto Plata

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 5:00 PM
Usually about 9 hours ashore
Getting around:
Amber Cove Cruise Port Waterfront property with a swim-up bar Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 11k
Ocean World Adventure Park, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Spot to swim with dolphins & sharks Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 8k
Sirena 💛 Nice department store has everything you need but prices are a bit high Supermarket · ★ 4.4 · 6k Open · Closes 12 AM
Puerto Plata Cable Car 1970s cable car with mountain views Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 6k
Isabel de Torres National Park Mountainous area with a cablecar ride Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 5k
La Puntilla Park Park with ocean views & an amphitheater Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 5k
Umbrella Street Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Playa Sosúa Very clean beach with calm water, great for swimming Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Fortaleza de San Felipe Spanish fort dating to the 16th century Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 3k
Tio Pan Restaurante Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 3k
Taíno Bay Cruise Port, Shore Excursions Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 2k
Playa Dorada Shopping Centre A few shops and a few good restaurants with the only movie theater in town. Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 2k Open · Closes 11 PM
Waterfront Playa Alicia Restaurant Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 2k
La Catalina Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 2k
La Tarappa (Real Italian) Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Italian · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Damajagua Waterfalls (27 waterfalls) Excursions & Tours Wet excursions amid 27 waterfalls Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closes soon · 3 PM
Paseo de Doña Blanca Restaurants and lots of tourist things to do. Historical landmark · ★ 4.6 · 1k
La Carihuela Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Malecón de Puerto Plata There's a lot of things to do and to enjoy here. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Museo del Ámbar Dominicano Unique amber artifacts & a gift shop Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Le petit François Dine-in·Takeout Grill · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Las Palmas Delicious food, amazing service and a beautiful location! Italian · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Como en Familia Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Creole · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Siblings Food Park Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Playa Teco Maimón Puerto Plata Bathrooms, chairs and food places available. Beach · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Kviar Show Disco & Casino Puerto Plata The drink prices are decent and some are only available by the bottle! Bar · ★ 4.2 · 1k
Casa Caribe Restaurant Dinner was delicious and thier presentation was top notch. Family-friendly · ★ 4.9 · 1k Closed · Opens 6 PM
Big Lee's Beach Bar & Grill Onsite services Grill · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Restaurante El Manguito Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Skina Restaurante Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Cofresí Beach Very comfortable to swim in!!! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 1k
Casa Colonial Beach and Spa, an SLH Hotel Chic resort with a rooftop infinity pool Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Bohemios Dine-in·Curbside pickup·Delivery Grill · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Mikasa Cocina Nikkei & Japanese, experiencia gastronómica Dine-in·Drive-through·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k
El Patio de Frida Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery Grill · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Puerto plata photo sign It's definitely worth a stop to take a photo with the Puerto Plata sign. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k Open now
EDEN LUXURY CLUB Drink cost after wasn’t higher any other bar. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM
Taino Bay Puerto Plata Cruise Port Lots of things to do including a lazy River, bars and shopping. Cruise terminal · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Sambalu RD Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Meclao’ Rooftop Lounge Dine-in·No delivery Bar · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM
Green Jack Tar * Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k
El Carey Restaurant Dine-in·Curbside pickup Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Los Tres Cocos Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM
Charros CaribeMex Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Casita Azul Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Paninoteca Family Affair Highly recommend steak sandwich and pasta dishes. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k
El Café de la Abuela (Specialty Coffee) The coffee is excellent, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. Coffee shop · ★ 4.5 · 0k
El Gordo Lambí Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Restaurant Le Papillon Dine-in Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM
Galerías del Atlántico Great plaza, has a ton of eating options. Shopping mall · ★ 4.6 · 0k Open 24 hours
Country World Adventure Park Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Playa de Long Beach Nice beach and ocean view. Beach · ★ 4.2 · 0k
Taíno Bay Pool & Lazy River Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k
El Rincon Del Cafe & Chocolate RD Umbrella Street Very friendly service, delicious coffee, nice atmosphere. Coffee shop · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Acapulco beach Small sandy swimming & sunbathing beach Beach · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Playa Grande Palm-dotted beach with white sands Beach · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Le Café Restaurant pop Ate breakfast here with my family and everything was delicious. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Amber Beach Club Dine-in·Takeout Grill · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Playa Acapulco Almost no spot to lay down a towel and chill. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k
La Rejoya Avocados, oranges, cacao and schnapps grow along the path. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Pachuche by C Brugal Cigars Central to the city, nice selection of cigars, cocktails are good. Bar · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Café CMV Good breakfast, good coffee and very nice service. Espresso bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
La Isabela Restaurante Puerto Plata, DR Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Lis & Liz Tea and Coffee Room Brownie and expresso were both excellent, service and location was great! Coffee shop · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Latinwok Dine-in·Takeout Asian · ★ 4.2 · 0k
Cafe CF45 Delicious food and coffee Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Puerto Plata Excursions Excellent excursions and great prices, very good service, I recommend them. Tour operator · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Costambar Beach Shallow spots all throughout the stretch. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Amber Cove Excursions Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Skylight Restaurant Rooftop Bar Dine-in Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 0k
Luxury Club Puerto Plata Onsite services Night club · ★ 4.2 · 0k
Canoa Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 0k Temporarily closed
CREW HEAVEN RESTAURANT Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Ámbar lounge Good drinks and Good service. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM
Umbrella bar 1920 Drinks were good. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Café Santo Domingo I had good exprience here love the coffee Coffee shop · ★ 3.6 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Puerto Plata

About Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata stands as a vibrant Caribbean port of call, welcoming cruise passengers from ten major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. With nearly 1,000 upcoming cruises calling here, this Dominican destination offers excellent accessibility for travelers seeking Caribbean itineraries. Most voyages are seven-night journeys that combine Puerto Plata with other popular ports like Miami, Port Canaveral, Nassau, and San Juan, making it a natural hub for Eastern Caribbean exploration. The port sees peak activity during the winter months from November through March.

Once ashore, cruise passengers discover a warm welcome and authentic Caribbean charm. The nearby beaches offer pristine sand and turquoise waters perfect for a relaxing day, while the colorful colonial architecture of the town invites exploration. Whether you're looking to unwind or venture out on an excursion, Puerto Plata delivers the tropical Caribbean experience that cruise travelers seek, all within convenient reach of your ship.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Explore Colonial San Felipe Fortress

Step back in time at this 16th-century Spanish fortress overlooking the Atlantic coast. The restored stone structure offers panoramic views of Puerto Plata's coastline and provides fascinating insights into the region's colonial history. It's a short walk from the cruise terminal and perfect for history enthusiasts seeking authentic Caribbean heritage.

2

Savor Fresh Seafood at the Malecón

Stroll along Puerto Plata's vibrant waterfront promenade lined with colorful colonial architecture and local restaurants serving fresh-caught fish and lobster. The Malecón buzzes with energy, offering authentic Dominican cuisine, tropical fruit drinks, and ocean breezes. It's the perfect spot to experience local flavors and Caribbean charm in one afternoon.

3

Cable Car Ride to Isabela Peak

Ascend 2,600 feet via scenic cable car to one of the Caribbean's most breathtaking viewpoints. From Isabela Peak, gaze across lush mountains, pristine beaches, and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. The round-trip takes about two hours and rewards visitors with unforgettable photo opportunities and refreshing mountain air.

4

Hunt for Treasures at Central Market

Dive into Puerto Plata's bustling Central Market, where local vendors sell handcrafted souvenirs, amber jewelry, and traditional Dominican goods. Haggle for unique pieces like larimar stone jewelry and wooden carvings while experiencing authentic local commerce. This sensory-rich market captures the true spirit of Dominican culture and offers genuine mementos.

5

Swim in Tropical Playa Dorada Beach

Relax on the golden sands of Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata's most popular beach just minutes from the cruise port. Crystal-clear turquoise waters invite swimming and snorkeling, while beachside vendors offer refreshing drinks and local snacks. It's an ideal escape for sun-seekers wanting to experience Caribbean paradise without venturing far.

Cruise Lines at Puerto Plata

Cruises Departing From Puerto Plata

Cruises Visiting Puerto Plata

Ship Schedule at Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata Location

Other Cruise Ports in Dominican Republic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Puerto Plata known for?

A coastal city known for beaches, the Fortaleza San Felipe fortress, and resort life.

What are the top sights in Puerto Plata?

Fortaleza San Felipe, Playa Dorada, and the historic town center.

How can I reach Puerto Plata?

Fly into Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) or drive from Santo Domingo.

When is the best time to visit?

Dry season from November to April; warm tropical weather year-round.